When one reads a book, it is not uncommon for them to find wordplay within the text. Wordplay is a comical play on words. It is used by many authors, including Lewis Carroll, who wrote the book Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. Wordplay is often used, but why do authors use it? I think that it is used to add humor to something that might otherwise be a bit dull. Though wordplay might not make you laugh out loud, it can add a little entertainment to a piece of writing.
There are many types of wordplay, some of the more popular ones include pun, alliteration, and repetition. In Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Lewis Carroll demonstrates many examples of wordplay. In this book, the main character Alice often uses the wrong word; this is an example of diction. A time that she demonstrates this is on page 21.Alice uses the word antipathies, but she does not use it correctly. She says, "The antipathies, I think-"(she was rather glad there was no one listening, this time, as it didn't sound at all the right word) "-but I shall have to ask them what thename of the country it is, you know." Many childrens books contain some types of wordplay in them. Though children may not realize that what they are reading is indeed wordplay, it is used in well known children's books. Children's author, Pamela Edwards, for example, uses it in her writings. In her book, Four Famished Foxes and Fosdyke , she uses a type of wordplay called alliteration. This is the repetition of a consonant sound within a sentence. Not only is wordplay found in books, but also in poems and songs. Leila Devlin is a poet that uses wordplay in her poems. For example, in her poem Fall, Devlin uses alliteration as well. Wordplay can even be found in songs. Raps are well known for their wordplay. Famous singers, such as Jason Mraz sing songs containing wordplay. Recently, Mraz has come out with a song called Wordplay. Not only does it have examples of word play, but it also talks about wordplay.
As you can see, wordplay is a common writing device that many people use. Authors, poets, and even songwriters use it to add some humor to their pieces of writing. It adds a little spice to their writing, which makes the readers more interested in reading it.
There are many types of wordplay, some of the more popular ones include pun, alliteration, and repetition. In Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Lewis Carroll demonstrates many examples of wordplay. In this book, the main character Alice often uses the wrong word; this is an example of diction. A time that she demonstrates this is on page 21.Alice uses the word antipathies, but she does not use it correctly. She says, "The antipathies, I think-"(she was rather glad there was no one listening, this time, as it didn't sound at all the right word) "-but I shall have to ask them what thename of the country it is, you know." Many childrens books contain some types of wordplay in them. Though children may not realize that what they are reading is indeed wordplay, it is used in well known children's books. Children's author, Pamela Edwards, for example, uses it in her writings. In her book, Four Famished Foxes and Fosdyke , she uses a type of wordplay called alliteration. This is the repetition of a consonant sound within a sentence. Not only is wordplay found in books, but also in poems and songs. Leila Devlin is a poet that uses wordplay in her poems. For example, in her poem Fall, Devlin uses alliteration as well. Wordplay can even be found in songs. Raps are well known for their wordplay. Famous singers, such as Jason Mraz sing songs containing wordplay. Recently, Mraz has come out with a song called Wordplay. Not only does it have examples of word play, but it also talks about wordplay.
As you can see, wordplay is a common writing device that many people use. Authors, poets, and even songwriters use it to add some humor to their pieces of writing. It adds a little spice to their writing, which makes the readers more interested in reading it.